Follow these tips to keep your scalp healthy and get silky, shiny, and smooth hair while keeping the hair problems like dandruff, hair fall, dry hair at a bay.

Introduction

Men or women, healthy and strong hair is a dream for us all. We try all hair cosmetics, healthy scalp home remedies, homemade hair masks, etc., in dreams of achieving the perfect hair. But do you know neither of these is easily possible without a healthy scalp? Caring for your hair will show temporary results, but for permanent results in hair growth, strengthening and beauty, you need to start by working on the roots!!

Our scalp and its health play a significant role in how our hair is. Maintaining a healthy scalp is essential for hair growth, smooth hair, dandruff-free hair, and so on. We all know, the stronger the foundation, the stronger the building. The same applies to our scalp and hair. We need to take equal care of the scalp and our hair. Who doesn’t wish to have a guardian angel handing out tips for healthy scalp and hair? Someone to tell us how to improve scalp health, appropriate products to take care of not just the hair but scalp too. Well, we are here to try and be your Guardian angel of hair. In this article, we will try to shed some light on what exactly a healthy scalp means, the benefits of a healthy scalp, tips on improving scalp health and keeping the scalp healthy.

Before we start digging deep into different measures to be taken for a healthy scalp, let us first understand its meaning. The scalp is the foundation and directly affects those beautiful hair locks that you care so much about. A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair, whereas a neglected, damaged scalp will lead to unhappy, unhealthy hair. So, what does a healthy scalp exactly mean?

A clean, hygienic scalp free of itchiness and dandruff, without acne or redness, one that doesn’t show hints of sun damage and pollution is a healthy scalp.

Remember, only knowing what healthy scalp means does not help you win the war against dandruff, hair loss, and other hair problems. What are the signs of an unhealthy scalp is something you need to keep in mind so as to avoid causing it. Excessive stress, pollution, poor eating habits are some of the common causes of an unhealthy scalp. In today's beauty and the cosmetic-centered world, we tend to use more than necessary hair products, another primary culprit of the damaged scalp. You need to keep a check on which, how much and how many times you use hair products to maintain a healthy scalp.

How do you know your scalp is healthy?

Determining your scalp is healthy is also equally important. Knowing how much love and care it needs will help plan the healthy scalp care routine. Helping you know and understand the signs of a healthy scalp, here are some signs to notice –

• Nourished, happy and healthier scalp skin
• Faster growing hair strands.
• Regular secretion of oil, not too much and not too low. This means you do not have to wash your hair daily due to the oily scalp but also cannot go without washing for too long.
• Stronger, smoother, and shinier hair
• No dandruff and itchiness.

So what do you gain from a healthy scalp, you ask? Here are few benefits that will make you want to start your healthy scalp regime today.

• A healthy scalp means healthy follicles, i.e., the root of your hair, leading to hair growth.
• Proper production of Sebum, a.k.a. oil, which leads to smooth and shiny hair.
• Reduced frizzy hair, helping you to set your hair free more often
• Stronger hair so you can fearlessly try on new hairstyles every day.
• Faster growth of hair.
• Reduced hair dryness and breakage
• Reduced split ends and healthy hair from root to tips.
• A healthy scalp increases not only hair growth but also the quality of hair.
• And remember, a happy scalp leads to a comfortable head full of hair!!

Tips to reach your goal of a healthy scalp –

• First and foremost, determine whether you have a dry scalp or an oily scalp. It is essential to set your hair cleansing routine. It is suggested to wash your scalp and hair 2-3 times a week, but depending on your type of scalp, it is always better to get some expert advice.
• Try using organic skin caring products to cleanse your scalp. We tend to be careful with our skin products but often neglect the scalp. Do your research, take time and choose the right one. Remember not to change what products you use frequently.
• Exfoliate your scalp at regular intervals. Removing the dead skin off the scalp helps to keep the scalp healthy and helps in hair growth.
• Protect your scalp from UV rays. When outdoors, cover with a hat or cap or use scalp-protective sunscreen.
• Watch what you eat. Intake of more vitamins, proteins, Omega-3, fish oils will help you in your journey to a healthy scalp. But whatever you decide on, make sure to consult your doctor for better results and no side effects.
• Avoid heat styling. Use conditioner and hair mask regularly to give your scalp that extra love. Deep conditioning is good at regular intervals for a nourished, healthy scalp.
• For people with oily scalp, avoid oiling. We always believe oiling is the solution to all hair problems, and it is not valid. Solutions differ from person to person and situation to situation.
• Trim your hair every six months. The hair growth becomes stagnant, and trimming helps restart hair growth.
• Avoid hair color or any other chemical treatments. And if the hair is chemically treated, you must plan the care routine with expert help only. Failure of expert care in such cases leads to excessive hair problems.
• And last but most important, do not try every other remedy on the internet. If you ever wish to let your dermatologist choose the right one for you.

Some common mistakes we make –

• Switching from anti-dandruff to ordinary shampoo: Guys, this is a bad idea. Determining your problem and using shampoo accordingly is essential. Switching will result in more damage.
• Holding the hairdryer very close to your hair: The heat damages hair and the scalp.
• Using hair extensions: Yes, this damages your scalp. If you still decide to get hair extensions, remember to let your scalp rest for a week or two between each session.
• Scratching scalp with nails: You need to know scratching is not an alternative to exfoliating. When you experience itching, it is better to brush the scalp.
• Using hair products on day one after washing hair is a bad idea. Hair is fragile and attracts dust on day one. Keep it natural and let it breathe.
• Washing hair with hot water: This damages not only hair but also the scalp. Experts suggest washing with Luke warm water.
• Combing wet hair: Another common mistake most of us make. Hair and follicles are fragile. Wet combing them will lead to hair breakage and hair loss.
• Sleeping with open hair
• Avoid using the hairbrush/ combs frequently.
• Not hydrating enough. Hydration is essential for us in more ways than one. Having a healthy scalp is one of them.
• Using undiluted shampoo directly on the scalp
• Rubbing the towel on the scalp and hair leads to dry scalp and breakage of hair.
• Not using scalp conditioners is one of the most crucial healthy scalp tools.

To summarize, a healthy scalp needs a series of measures, right from what products to use to what food to eat. Effective measures in and out will help us gain a healthy scalp and healthy hair. Remember, be it a man or a woman, the scalp is like soil for your hair. Only a healthy scalp will ensure robust and healthy hair. Try to follow as many healthy scalp tips as possible. Like for any other unhealthy problems, make sure to consult an expert for a restorative scalp treatment. Avoiding things causing an unhealthy scalp is equally important. Keep in mind simple things like caring for the scalp when outdoors, maintaining hygiene, etc., is the way to avoid an unhealthy scalp. Remember, to solve a problem, and we need to begin at its root. Despite employing different resorts, if the scalp problems still persist, visiting a dermatologist is never a bad idea. After all, who does not like to have shiny, healthy hair!